BRST symmetry and unitarity of the Horava theory

Abstract

We present an analysis on the BRST symmetry transformations of the Horava theory under the BFV quantization, both in the nonprojectable and projectable cases. We obtain that the BRST transformations are intimately related to a particular spatial diffeomorphism along one of the ghost vector fields. We show explicitly the invariance of the quantum action and the nilpotence of the BRST transformations, using this diffeomorphism largely. The BRST symmetry is verified in the whole phase space, inside and outside the constrained surface. When restricted to the constrained surface, the BRST transformations are completely local. The consistency of the BRST symmetry is a fundamental feature of a quantum field theory, specially for renormalization. The BFV quantization is independent of the chosen gauge-fixing condition. This allows us to show the unitarity of the quantum Horava theory, covering the gauge required for renormalization.

arXiv commentV2: The discussion on the existence of the solution for N has been expanded

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Cited by in corpus (6)

• Regular Black Holes and Horizonless Ultra-Compact Objects in Lorentz-Violating Gravity
• Asymptotic freedom in (3+1)-dimensional projectable Horava gravity: connecting ultraviolet to infrared
• Renormalization of the nonprojectable Horava theory
• Effective action of the Horava theory: Cancellation of divergences
• Universal Horizons without Hypersurface Orthogonality
• Quantization of the anisotropic conformal Horava theory